2012 DISTRICT LESSON SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF HEALTHY HOUSING KEEP IT PEST-FREE

CECP CORE COMPETENCIES: Housing and Environment Cooperative Extension Curriculum Project: “The initial focus is curriculum for professional development competencies. The intent of the project is to increase the breadth and quality of training while using human and financial resources more efficiently.” These are just some essential concepts that apply to Keep it PEST-FREE. Housing Maintenance and Care Methods of pest control, including integrated pest management. Hazards of pesticide use.

SEVEN STEPS TO A HEALTHY HOME 1.Keep it Dry 2.Keep it Clean 3.Keep it Safe 4.Keep it Well-Ventilated 5.Keep it Pest-Free 6.Keep it Contaminant-Free 7.Keep it Well-Maintained

WHY DO WE CARE? Keeping a home pest-free can reduce allergens and irritants and reduce pesticides use. According to the World Health Organization, “Pesticides are known to cause millions of acute poisoning cases per year, of which at least one million require hospitalization.”

KEEP IT PEST-FREE Important: Control pests instead by using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) IPM is all about putting several pieces together to take a holistic approach to pest management IPM is concerned with making home environments inhospitable to pests and if necessary, using the least toxic method to remove pests Use the least toxic method first!

KEEP IT PEST-FREE All pests look for food, water and shelter.

Keep them out in the first place; The technical term for this is exclusion

KEEP IT PEST-FREE clutter = harborage

KEEP IT PEST-FREE Seal cracks and openings throughout the home Bugs! Energy loss

KEEP IT PEST-FREE Store food in pest- resistant containers. Open bags and containers of food are not pest resistant. Check food in storage on a regular basis.

Using pesticides should be the LAST step, not the first! If needed, use sticky-traps and baits in closed containers, along with least toxic pesticides such as boric acid powder. KEEP IT PEST-FREE Adapted from Florida Cooperative Extension: Boric acid materials scattered on the floors of homes do present a hazard to children.” Apply in hidden areas. Do not apply in open areas. Do not apply where food and utensils are kept.

A WORD ON BED BUGS… keep them out. this means inspect! When you travel… Look over your hotel room ahead of time. Put suitcases on suitcase rack or desk. If you suspect you have been bitten, put your clothing in disposable plastic bags and take them directly to a washer. Other info: If you are buying or acquiring used furnishing (beds and couches) thoroughly inspect them. Even if they come from the antique store! Be bed bug conscious, not unreasonable. Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease. It is hard to get rid of bed bugs!

ACTIVITY: LET’S LOOK AT A BED BUG PHOTO GALLERY Eggs white, 1 / 32 inches Nymphs light tan, darken as they grow through 5 instars, ranging from 1 / 24 inches to nearly ¼ inch long. Adults oval shaped, red/brown colored body, 1 / 5 inch (about the size of an apple seed)

THANK YOU! Keep it pest-free Goodbye!